SCHEDULE CHANGES TO BBC ELECTION COVERAGE

Nick Robinson’s Panorama interview with the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, will be broadcast on Friday 14 June at 19:30.

This forms part of a series of Panorama interviews with the leaders of the seven biggest political parties in Great Britain. Nick’s interview with Rishi Sunak was broadcast last night.

As previously announced, Nick Robinson’s interviews with John Swinney, SNP, and Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru, will be broadcast tomorrow, Wednesday 12 June. The interview with Adrian Ramsay, Green Party, will be broadcast on Tuesday 18 June and the interview with Sir Ed Davey, Liberal Democrats, on Friday 28 June.

The interview due to be broadcast tonight with Nigel Farage, Reform UK, has been postponed for logistical reasons and the BBC will announce a new date when confirmed.

The duration of the head-to-head debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer, The Prime Ministerial Debate, has been extended and it will now be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 20:15-21:30 on Wednesday 26 June.

From 21:30-22:00, Laura Kuenssberg and Clive Myrie, the hosts of the BBC’s election night coverage, will present reaction and analysis live from the debate venue.

Sophie Raworth has asked to step down as the host of the debate after fracturing her ankle, so Mishal Husain will now take on the role.

Sophie will continue to present BBC News bulletins and will still present the second day of the BBC’s general election night coverage.

Sophie Raworth says: "The injury I picked up at the London marathon has now been diagnosed as a fracture in my ankle. I was only told this last week during the D-Day commemorations. I’m now on crutches, in a boot and non-weight-bearing for some time.

"Mishal Husain is a fantastic presenter and will be brilliant at moderating what is a really important debate for both the two leaders and the BBC. I’m delighted she is doing it."

Mishal Husain says: "Sophie has been remarkable in the pace and the way she’s worked in recent weeks, despite her injury.

"I can’t see myself ever stepping into her running shoes but she can count on me for this, as the two prime ministerial candidates face each other for their last television encounter."

Jonathan Munro, Deputy CEO of BBC News, says: "These debates are a key moment in the campaign – giving voters the chance to ask questions of their future prime minister.

"Mishal did an outstanding job on Friday - the BBC is very fortunate to have such a wealth of talent to draw upon. We’re wishing Sophie a speedy recovery; it seems it’s not only football managers who need to worry about foot injuries!"

More details will be announced in due course.